Patents by Inventor Theresa A. Howard

Theresa A. Howard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7691481
    Abstract: A composite article includes an acrylic layer, a UV-cured layer formed from a UV-curable composition, and a polyurethane backing layer. A method of forming the composite article includes applying the UV-curable composition to the acrylic layer such that the composition is between the acrylic layer and the polyurethane backing layer to enhance bonding between these layers. The UV-curable composition includes at least one monomer which is an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated acrylate monomer, or both. The at least one monomer has a hydroxy functional group. The monomer is compatible with the acrylic layer and the hydroxy functional group of the monomer is reactive with a polyisocyanate from the polyurethane backing layer. The UV-curable composition also includes a curing initiator that is reactive with the monomer. Upon exposure of the UV-curable composition to UV electromagnetic radiation, the curing initiator enables the composition to cure to the acrylic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin T. Peeler, Michael C. May, Theresa A. Howard
  • Publication number: 20060217834
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dynamically compressing categories in a data storage library. In one embodiment, the method includes retrieving an identification of a first category in the data storage library, the first category being a last-compressed category. Next, an identification number of a first order of the first category is retrieved, the first order being a last compressed order. Compression is resumed of orders in the first category with an order next following the first order and continued with additional orders in the first category. If a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, the identification of the first category and the identification number of the order of the first category being compressed are stored. If, however, the predetermined amount of time has not elapsed and compression of the first category is complete, compression of a second category is begun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation
    Inventors: Kerri Shotwell, James Fisher, Erika Dawson, Jonathan Peake, Theresa Howard, Gregory Kishi
  • Patent number: 7087306
    Abstract: A composite article includes an acrylic layer, a UV-cured layer formed from a UV-curable composition, and a polyurethane backing layer. A method of forming the composite article includes applying the UV-curable composition to the acrylic layer such that the composition is between the acrylic layer and the polyurethane backing layer to enhance bonding between these layers. The UV-curable composition includes at least one monomer which is an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated acrylate monomer, or both. The at least one monomer has a hydroxy functional group. The monomer is compatible with the acrylic layer and the hydroxy functional group of the monomer is reactive with a polyisocyanate from the polyurethane backing layer. The UV-curable composition also includes a curing initiator that is reactive with the monomer. Upon exposure of the UV-curable composition to UV electromagnetic radiation, the curing initiator enables the composition to cure to the acrylic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin T. Peeler, Michael C. May, Theresa A. Howard
  • Publication number: 20060014025
    Abstract: A composite article includes an acrylic layer, a UV-cured layer formed from a UV-curable composition, and a polyurethane backing layer. A method of forming the composite article includes applying the UV-curable composition to the acrylic layer such that the composition is between the acrylic layer and the polyurethane backing layer to enhance bonding between these layers. The UV-curable composition includes at least one monomer which is an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated acrylate monomer, or both. The at least one monomer has a hydroxy functional group. The monomer is compatible with the acrylic layer and the hydroxy functional group of the monomer is reactive with a polyisocyanate from the polyurethane backing layer. The UV-curable composition also includes a curing initiator that is reactive with the monomer. Upon exposure of the UV-curable composition to UV electromagnetic radiation, the curing initiator enables the composition to cure to the acrylic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Calvin Peeler, Micheal May, Theresa Howard
  • Publication number: 20050282016
    Abstract: A composite structure including a first layer, comprising a styrenated polyester, and a polyurethane layer is disclosed. The first layer is a show surface of the composite structure. The polyurethane layer is the reaction product of a resin component and a stochiometric excess of polyisocyanate relative to the polyol. The resin component includes a polyol having a propylene oxide cap of at least 80 percent by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Ogonowski, Calvin Peeler, Theresa Howard, Micheal May, James Turnbach, Joseph Jibrail
  • Publication number: 20030190481
    Abstract: A composite article includes an acrylic layer, a UV-cured layer formed from a UV-curable composition, and a polyurethane backing layer. A method of forming the composite article includes applying the UV-curable composition to the acrylic layer such that the composition is between the acrylic layer and the polyurethane backing layer to enhance bonding between these layers. The UV-curable composition includes at least one monomer which is an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated acrylate monomer, or both. The at least one monomer has a hydroxy functional group. The monomer is compatible with the acrylic layer and the hydroxy functional group of the monomer is reactive with a polyisocyanate from the polyurethane backing layer. The UV-curable composition also includes a curing initiator that is reactive with the monomer. Upon exposure of the UV-curable composition to UV electromagnetic radiation, the curing initiator enables the composition to cure to the acrylic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Calvin T. Peeler, Micheal C. May, Theresa A. Howard